Sutton Goalie Eats Pie – Resigns Over Gambling Controversy

Wayne Shaw, a coach/backup goalie for Sutton United, ate a pie during their match with Arsenal. But it turns out that the pie-eating incident will cost Shaw his job.

The 46-year-old resigned after the incident when a gambling probe was sparked.

Bookmakers put 8/1 odds on Shaw eating a pie during his team’s match against Arsenal. It seemed like a long-shot bet, but the 46-year-old surprised everybody by eating a meat pie near Sutton’s sidelines.

Shaw knew about the wager and also knew that some of his friends placed it. That said, Britain’s Football Association launched a probe into the incident afterward.

There doesn’t seem to be any malicious intent behind his actions, other than having fun. But knowingly influencing the results of a bet is a serious offense in the sports world.

Rather than drag his team through the controversy, Shaw handed in his resignation as player/coach.

“I’m devastated, the chairman is devastated,” said National League club’s manager Paul Doswell. “I have spoken to Wayne and the guy is in tears, crying down the phone. It is a very sad situation.”

While it appears that Shaw didn’t realize the seriousness of the offense, the Telegraph reports that FA officials are still investigating the matter. After all, one of Shaw’s friends earned a “five-figure sum” when their buddy ate the pie during the televised match.

Shaw, who weighs close to 300 pounds, is Sutton’s goalkeeping coach. He also serves as backup goalie with the tiny operation, although the only chance of him seeing the field would be if there was a serious injury.

Shaw even served as caretaker of Sutton United’s 5,000-seat stadium – much smaller than the 60,000-seat venue that Arsenal plays in.

Losing 2-0 to Arsenal late in the game, Shaw thought this would be the perfect time to enjoy a pie and win the bet for his friends.

“I thought I would give them a bit of banter and let’s do it,” he said. “All the subs were on and we were 2-0 down. It was just a bit of banter for them. It is something to make the occasion as well and you can look back and say it was part of it and we got our ticket money back.”